A Nation in Crisis!
Liegalla, the small flat nation has long existed under the hard rule the kings of House Ojeras, but hard rule in the eyes of many had turned into outright tyranny under the current ruler, the ill-tempered King Vytautas IV. While promoting a foreign policy of peace and strict neutrality, at home the “Bastard King” as nicknamed by his many enemies—in whispered tones and out of earshot—has ruled with an iron fist and terror. His absolutism rule had lead to a crumbling economy, widespread suppression and mass poverty. While most could ignore the bloody palace intrigue of the Ojerases, a long history of assassinations and regicidal coups, this king’s bloodlust has spilled out beyond the palace walls.
While King Vytautas sits on the Dragonfire Throne in the capital, Vysla, in the hinterlands thousands of Liegallans find no work and empty bellies. Those who in the past dared to speak out against the king have scars and lack of tongues as reminders of that foolishness. Those who survived the captivity of the King’s prison complex. The nation’s production of wheat, millet and corn continues, only to be confiscated by the King’s soldiers and distributed amongst his cronies or exported abroad. Neglected infrastructure leaves much of the nation left in what seem like the begone feudal era.
It seems the straw that has broken the proverbial dragon’s back however has been the latest round of the mandatory draft of Liegalla’s young men into the Royal Army. Unwilling to serve in the very garrison that housed the same soldiers that had terrorized his family, one young man, Dalius Jonytis attacked and killed his senior officer, Sergeant Liudas Preidis in Rzhev. The death of Preidis lead to a man hunt for Jonytis, who, along with six other deserters fled into the safety of Holy Trinity Church where the Deacon, Ambraziejus Pauliukevicius sealed of the entrances under the ancient right of sanctuary. This however did not stop the army, who entered the church and opened fire upon its occupants, killing the deacon, Jonytis and two others. It was this that lead to the streets of Rzhev erupting into riots and protests, as years of anger finally boils over. And that anger has begun spreading across the north as grievances and old wounds spilt open a bleed.
As the number of protesters rise to the count of thousands, some have started to put voices to their anger, some suggesting that bastard Vytautas is not the rightful king, and should be overthrown in favor of his younger half-brother, the true heir forced into exile years ago. Other, louder voices have started to suggest that the very concept of a monarchy in the modern world is illegitimate, and the Dragonfire Throne should be torn down.
While them may be but embers now, the risk of them growing into flames grows and grows with each passing moment.
